"...We pledge to you, Adolf Hitler, loyalty and bravery. We swear obedience to you and the superiors appointed by you, even unto death, as God is our witness."
-SS Oath
The Death's Head Insignia of the Waffen-SS
The Waffen-SS, or Armed-SS, was a prestigious branch of the SS-Verfugungstruppe, or SS-Special Purpose Troops (SS meaning Schutzstaffeln). In July of 1940, they were assigned to be Hitler's own protection squad, whereas before 1940 they had aided in the occupation of the Sudetenland, Austria, and Czechoslovakia. They also saw action in the invasion of Poland and other lowland countries such as France. By 1941, the Waffen-SS had been organized into six divisions that included the 1st and 2nd Motorized SS Brigades.
These included the:
Division SS-Leibstandarte "Adolf Hitler"
SS Division "Das Reich"
SS Division "Totenkopf"
SS Polizei Division
SS Division "Wiking"
SS Gebirgsdivision "Nord"
In 1941, the commander of the SS, Heinrich Himmler announced that non-German soldiers would be able to join the Waffen-SS. After this point, nearly 57% of all Waffen-SS manpower was provided from the foreigners. These foreigners were known as Freiwillige, a degrading term for volunteer, even though they were often the most disciplined and fanatic of warriors. By 1944 the Waffen-SS had more than 246,000 members. Approximately 156,000 were field troops, 64,000 were assigned to special duties, and nearly 26,000 were reserved for maintenance and supply. At the end of the war it's estimated a total of more than 600,000 men served in the Waffen-SS, 180,000 Waffen-SS were killed in combat, and another 70,000 were listed as missing.
"...The Gods of the new Germany will be the SS"
-Heinrich Himmler 1931
The Waffen-SS had many ideal purposes in the war.
They were to assist in the execution of the authority of the state within the borders of the Nazi Empire.
They were to be the ideal images of both Aryan racial purity and of National Socialist philosophy.
They were to be organized as a military organization, yet function as a "state police."
They were to be prepared for any and all "special tasks" that may be required.
They were to prove their intense loyalty to Hitler and the Nazi Empire through front line combat.
The uniforms link will be down until I fix it... which might be awhile.
This site is intended for education purposes only. If I did something illegal..... blame someone else.
